Irresistible Cheesy Colcannon Balls Recipe: Golden Irish Delights

Comfort meets creativity in this hearty irish potato colcannon balls recipe that brings a delightful twist to traditional mashed potatoes.

Crispy golden exteriors give way to creamy, herb-infused interiors that dance with flavor.

Potatoes, kale, and green onions blend into a harmonious mixture you’ll crave with every bite.

These little spheres of deliciousness pack a punch of Irish-inspired comfort food magic.

Perfectly seasoned and easily shareable, they transform a classic side dish into an irresistible appetizer.

Each golden-brown ball offers a satisfying crunch that reveals a soft, luxurious center.

Prepare to fall in love with this crowd-pleasing recipe that turns humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Steps to Cook Cheesy Colcannon Balls

• Blend Potato Mixture

Mix mashed potatoes with chopped cabbage, green onions, salt, pepper, egg, and shredded cheddar. Incorporate breadcrumbs until everything sticks together nicely.

• Create Cheesy Centers

Grab handfuls of potato mixture and gently flatten. Tuck a small cheese cube into the center, then roll into a perfect round ball. Make sure each ball is compact and sealed.

• Coat with Crispy Layer

Roll each potato ball thoroughly in extra breadcrumbs, ensuring a completely even and crunchy exterior.

• Heat Cooking Oil

Pour oil into a deep skillet, warming it to a sizzling 350F. The oil should be hot enough to create an instant golden crunch.

• Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully drop potato balls into hot oil, cooking in small batches. Rotate them gently to achieve an even, rich brown color. Watch for that beautiful crispy exterior.

• Serve and Enjoy

Transfer fried balls onto paper towels to drain excess oil. Plate immediately while hot and crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra flavor kick.

Tips to Shape & Flavor Colcannon Balls

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the colcannon mixture and cheese-filled balls up to a day in advance, storing them covered in the refrigerator for easy frying when guests arrive.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Swap traditional breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or crushed gluten-free crackers to make the recipe celiac-friendly without losing crispy texture.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) to create a completely vegetarian version of these cheesy potato balls.
• Baking Option: For a healthier alternative, bake the colcannon balls at 400F (200C) for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through, to achieve a crispy exterior without deep-frying.
• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with different cheese varieties like smoked gouda, pepper jack, or blue cheese to add unique flavor profiles to the traditional colcannon balls.

Serving Cheesy Colcannon Balls

• Game Night Crowd-Pleaser: Serve these crispy colcannon balls as a fun appetizer during sports watch parties or game nights with friends, pairing perfectly with cold beer or zesty dipping sauces.
• Irish Pub Style Presentation: Arrange balls on a rustic wooden board with small ramekins of tangy mustard, herb aioli, or classic ranch for a pub-inspired serving experience that feels authentic and delicious.
• Hearty Side Dish Companion: Partner these golden balls alongside roasted meats like corned beef, grilled chicken, or pan-seared salmon to create a complete and satisfying meal with rich, comforting flavors.
• Brunch Breakthrough: Elevate weekend brunch by adding these cheesy potato balls to your spread, complementing eggs Benedict or serving as a unique alternative to traditional hash browns for a crowd-pleasing morning dish.

Plan & Store Colcannon Balls Easily

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftover cheesy colcannon balls in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Quick Reheating Trick: Warm them in an air fryer at 375F for 45 minutes to restore crispiness and prevent sogginess. Freezer-Friendly Option: Stack balls between parchment paper layers in a freezer-safe container and store up to 1 month for future quick snacks. Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the mixture and shape balls a day ahead, storing them covered in the refrigerator, which helps flavors meld and saves cooking time when ready to fry.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s in Cheesy Colcannon Balls

• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy foundation that provides rich, comforting texture and helps bind other ingredients together.
• Cabbage: Adds delightful crunch and subtle earthy flavor, traditional Irish vegetable that boosts nutritional value.
• Green Onions: Introduces sharp, fresh onion notes with bright green color and mild aromatic punch.

• Egg: Crucial binding agent that helps hold mixture together and creates smooth consistency.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that amplifies and balances overall taste profile.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Provides intense cheesy richness and melty, gooey center surprise.

• Breadcrumbs: Creates irresistible crispy golden exterior, adds satisfying crunch and helps seal in delicious inner ingredients.
• Cube of Cheese: Delivers unexpected melty cheese center that oozes when bitten, creating exciting textural contrast.
• Cooking Oil: Enables deep-frying process, ensuring golden brown, perfectly crisp exterior.

Tools to Make Colcannon Balls

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing all ingredients together smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for perfect consistency.
• Deep Skillet or Pot: Needed for frying colcannon balls to golden perfection.
• Slotted Spoon or Tongs: Great for safely removing and turning balls in hot oil.
• Paper Towels: Helps drain excess oil after frying, keeping balls crispy.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for shredding fresh cheddar cheese.
• Cutting Board: For chopping green onions and preparing ingredients.

Crispy Colcannon Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Irish Cheesy Colcannon Balls blend creamy mashed potatoes with sharp cheddar and crisp bacon. Golden-brown spheres deliver comforting flavors you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (473 ml) mashed potatoes
• 1 cup (237 ml) cooked cabbage or kale, finely chopped
• ½ cup (118 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 egg
• 3 green onions, finely sliced
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
• 1 cup (237 ml) breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Mixing: Combine mashed potatoes, chopped cabbage, green onions, seasoning, egg, cheddar, and initial breadcrumbs in a large bowl, thoroughly blending until ingredients create a unified mixture.
2. Forming: Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized spheres, embedding a cheese cube at the center and smoothly encasing it with consistent, gentle pressure to ensure complete coverage.
3. Breading: Roll each potato sphere in remaining breadcrumbs, rotating to achieve an even, crisp exterior that promises a delightful crunch.
4. Frying: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to the optimal temperature, then carefully lower potato balls in controlled batches, rotating periodically to develop a uniform golden-brown color.
5. Finishing: Drain the fried colcannon balls on paper towels to remove excess oil, then serve immediately while hot, presenting a mouthwatering combination of creamy potato, melted cheese, and crispy coating.

Notes

• Manage Potato Moisture: Ensure mashed potatoes are not too wet by draining thoroughly and letting steam evaporate to prevent soggy balls that might fall apart during frying.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Choose a melting cheese like sharp cheddar or young gouda that creates a gooey center without completely liquefying during cooking.
• Consistent Size is Key: Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to create uniform balls, guaranteeing even cooking and consistent crispy exterior across all portions.
• Temperature Control Crucial: Maintain oil at 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown exterior without burning; use a digital thermometer for precise heat monitoring to achieve restaurant-quality results.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 30mg